Noodles

Noodles are spindly things. They find themselves twisting and curling, knotting over each other, dog piling on one another. They love being together. They don't care for the regimentation of the box in which they arrive. Better yet, they hope never to be boxed. So it is truly amazing when a young child has cast his or her will against that of the mighty noodle. Glue and noodle, blended with paper to create the ultimate masterpiece a kid can create. An orderly, beautiful portrait of life itself, trying to keep chaos at bay.

To strive for that perfection isn't the goal, though. We become immersed, as adults, in the final product, without enjoying a dab of glue on a piece of macaroni or the funny quandry of trying to remove that stupid orange construction paper stuck to one's hand as we simultaneosly try to finish our semolina masterpiece before the bell rings.

We lose sight of the journey. And that is what this is about. It may not be the most fun and the picture one is asked to portray is often not a favorite subject. It may even be tasking trying to keep all of the individual noodles organized.

We must remember to simply enjoy the creation of the masterpiece as best as one can. Take pride in the making, knowing that a gold star is well earned, even if it can never hang on a refrigerator door.